WOODBURN, Ore. — The City of Woodburn has announced a temporary suspension of its Flock Safety Camera System, following growing community concern that the surveillance technology could be used by federal immigration authorities. The decision came after an intense public discussion during the Nov. 10 City Council meeting, where several residents voiced fears about potential misuse of the system.
Community Concerns Spark Action
The pause, which will last at least two months, reflects the city’s effort to balance public safety with the protection of residents’ privacy and rights.
“The City of Woodburn is committed to keeping our community safe while respecting the concerns of our community members,” said Mayor Frank Lonergan. “Based on community input, pausing the Flock camera system is a prudent step.”
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Residents at the meeting raised alarms about how data from these cameras—especially license plate information—could be accessed or shared with federal immigration enforcement agencies, including ICE. Many expressed concern that such surveillance tools could heighten fear among immigrant and working-class communities.
“While these cameras are often promoted as tools for public safety, they pose a serious risk for immigrant and working-class communities,” one resident stated. “The data they collect can be accessed by outside agencies, creating fear and distrust among residents who already live under constant surveillance.”
How the Flock Safety System Works
Flock Safety, a private technology company, provides automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and video surveillance tools used by police departments across the country. The company’s systems are designed to capture vehicle details such as make, model, color, and license plate numbers, but not personal identifiers like facial recognition.
Woodburn began its contract with Flock Safety in December 2024, installing 24 cameras throughout the city. The cameras are used to track vehicles linked to crimes such as thefts, hit-and-runs, and violent offenses, not for routine traffic enforcement.
According to city officials, access to the system’s data is restricted to the Woodburn Police Department and other Oregon law enforcement agencies only. During the suspension, city staff will conduct a comprehensive review to evaluate how the system is being used and ensure compliance with state laws.
Oregon’s Sanctuary Protections
Under Oregon’s sanctuary laws, local governments and police departments are prohibited from participating in federal immigration enforcement. This means that cities like Woodburn cannot use local funds, equipment, or personnel to detect or apprehend individuals for immigration purposes.
“Our goal is to ensure that the system is used responsibly, that the information collected remains secure, and that it is not accessible to any agency outside of Oregon,” said City Manager Scott Derickson.
City Officials Reaffirm Data Security
According to the city’s Flock Safety transparency page, all data captured by the system is stored for 30 days before being deleted. The data is owned by the Woodburn Police Department and cannot be sold, shared with private parties, or used for immigration enforcement or profiling based on race, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics.
Recent statistics from the Flock data dashboard show that the system has been searched 108 times in the past 30 days—including 17 theft or shoplifting cases, 11 hit-and-runs, and 10 warrant-related searches.
Despite these reassurances, some residents remain skeptical. Multiple community members have called for an independent audit to determine exactly how Flock Safety data is used, who can access it, and whether any data-sharing agreements exist with federal or private entities.
“Flock cameras are being used to identify criminal activity and solve cases,” one resident said. “However, the risks these tools pose to our community outweigh the benefits. We demand a full audit, including the number of requests made by agencies such as the FBI, ICE, and DEA.”
Police Defend the Technology’s Benefits
Police Chief Jason Millican defended the system’s effectiveness, saying it has already helped solve violent crimes and vehicle thefts in the short time it’s been in use. He emphasized that the department follows strict data-use protocols and does not collaborate with federal immigration enforcement.
Commitment to Safety and Civil Rights
Both city and police officials stressed that while public safety remains a top priority, protecting residents’ civil liberties and privacy is equally important.
“Our police have never worked with ICE agents,” Mayor Lonergan said. “They will not work with any ICE agents.”
As the city moves forward with its review, Woodburn officials plan to engage with community members to restore public confidence and ensure that any future use of surveillance technology aligns with the city’s values of safety, transparency, and inclusion.
The pause on the Flock Safety system marks a critical moment for Woodburn—a community seeking to safeguard both its residents’ security and their trust in local governance.
